Jane Frances deChantal: Self-renunciation

Rejoice, then, in this grace with great humility, my dearest brother, and by means of it grow stronger in your vocation and in the practice of all virtue, above all in that of self-renunciation, so that you may advance in union of soul with God. Give yourself wholly into His hands. That done, have no fear of the evil spirit but of God alone, for, having quitted all things and yourself in your desire to belong to Him, Satan can do you no harm.

Go forward quite simply, ruminating but little. The affection I feel for you, as a mother for her son, draws from me these words of advice, but I know the best counsel is not wanting to you where you are. May God lead you Himself to the height of perfection to which He has called you, and always keep you within His holy hand. I never forget to ask this of His Goodness.”

Jane Frances de Chantal (1572–1641) in Selected letters of Saint Jane Frances de Chantal (London: Washbourne, 1918) in letter CXI “To a Novice” undated.

Click here to read it online freely.

Today marks the last post from this sacred collection for now. I hope they blessed you. Do share posts you love with others. Encourage them to subscribe.

This post seemed fitting to conclude the week because it represents the last post in the collection. It seems to sum up the heart of Jane Frances. In a word, it’s self-renunciation.

Think about it. She lived 69 years. And in the last 30 of them helped set up more than 80 communities or monasteries. She deployed her wealth and herself to build people for Jesus.

She contributed to the reformation of the Catholic Church in the people of her nation by denying herself, abandoning the deceitfulness of material wealth, and living sold-out for Jesus.

Put yourself in the seat of the novice. The evil one distracts you with temptations. You learn to deny yourself as Jesus commanded. And she tells you to go forward, and in plain terms, not overthink this. God will help you. Walk toward perfection and God will take care of the rest.

How does her story inspire you? Do you know someone who needs to read these last seven posts? Share this link with them to the meditations library.

Over the next week, we turn our attention to Josemaría Escrivá, a contemporary saint whose life and example in following Jesus continues to impact many in a generous way.